A man allegedly shot himself with a handgun he brought to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Sunday, Dec. 21, according to the Atlanta Police Department.
Police say Douglas E. Smith, 59, entered the airport around 3:30 p.m. local time while carrying a handgun. He then rode the escalators up to the upper level of baggage claim.
There, Major D. Wilson said during a press conference that Smith “intentionally” shot himself in the upper left torso before falling to the ground. A nearby bystander kicked the gun out of Smith’s hand and called authorities.
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When officers arrived, police said Smith was “alert, conscious” and “breathing.” He suffered a gunshot wound to his left arm and was taken to a local hospital. As of later that evening, he was listed in stable condition, authorities said.
Smith has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and reckless conduct, police said. Once he is discharged, he will be taken into custody and booked into the Clayton County Jail.
An airport representative said normal travel operations continued despite the incident.
“Safety is obviously our number one priority, and Atlanta airport is by far in a way one of the safest major airports in the entire world,” Wilson said.
The investigation remains ongoing.
